Assembly of prefabricated elements to form a prefabricated building with at least two floors and related building and installation process

ABSTRACT

The assembly of prefabricated elements to form a prefabricated building with two stories includes:
         a prefabricated hollow structure (W) formed by portions of the walk floors of the ground floor and of the floor above (M, N) permanently connected to one another by portions of transverse walls (I) of the ground floor, and   a prefabricated portal structure (V) formed by a central portion (O) of the roof floor of the upper story connected permanently to two portions of transverse walls (L) of the same story, the portal structure (V) being designed to be fixed on top of the structure (W).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a United States National Phase application of International Application PCT/IB2011/000958 and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Italian Patent Application FI2010A000096 filed May 7, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of prefabricated buildings, in particular for residential use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are known prefabricated buildings with only one wherein the walls, walk floor and roof floor can be separate into elements of small dimension designed to be placed adjacent to one another to form an easily transportable compact assembly, elements which if necessary can be joined to one another by means of hinges to facilitate assembly on site thereof. In general, these are temporary buildings to be erected rapidly for emergencies, such as military quartering or the like, for example of the type described in the Italian Patent n^(o) 1192455 by the applicant Fagnoni filed on 18 Jun. 1982, in the international Patent n^(o) WO/98/02626 by the applicant Kalinowsky, in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,348,344 by the applicant Tatevossian filed on 19 Feb. 1964, or in the Patent application WO 86/04630.

There are also known two examples of prefabricated buildings, described respectively in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,211 and in the Patent DE4226322, which provide two distinct stories, wherein the second story is retracted into the ground story during transportation and is elevated over this ground story during assembly on site. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,211 shows a multilevel prefabricated building wherein the walls and the floors are hinged to one another according to horizontal axes, obtaining somewhat complicated configurations both of hinge mechanisms and in terms of space, said complexity reflecting on the external dimensions of the compacted building prior to installation, external dimensions which are undoubtedly excessively large with respect to requirements both of transportation and of final habitable area of the building.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes the creation of a building with at least two stories for housing wherein the walls and the floors or parts thereof are prefabricated far from the installation site and can be grouped together for transportation in a manner to facilitate transportation and assembly on site.

The invention provides for an assembly of prefabricated elements to form a prefabricated building with at least two stories and associated with one another in a compact grouping as claimed in claim 1.

According to the invention, there is provided an assembly of prefabricated elements to form a prefabricated building with at least two stories and associated with one another in a compact grouping designed for transportation to the place of installation of the building; this assembly comprises:

-   -   a hollow prefabricated structure formed by a central portion of         the walk floor of the ground story and a central portion of the         floor above permanently connected to one another by means of         portions of transverse walls of the ground story; the hollow         structure is designed to extemporaneously contain walls and         floors of the building or portions thereof to form this compact         grouping of prefabricated constructional elements, and     -   for each story above the ground story, a prefabricated portal         structure formed by a central portion of the roof floor of this         story connected permanently to two portions of transverse wall         of the same story; these portal structures are designed to be         inserted with the respective central portions of floor resting         on top of one another and above the hollow structure to form the         compact grouping and then, during installation, to be anchored         to one another and to the hollow structure preferably by means         of respective portions of transverse walls, and     -   guide means designed to guide, during assembly on site, the         portal structures in the lifting movement on top of the hollow         structure;     -   lateral portions of the walk floors and roof floors are hinged         to central portions of the respective floors according to         longitudinal axes, to facilitate installation thereof.

According to an embodiment, the guide means are arranged between the portions of transverse walls of the portal structures and between these and the portions of transverse walls of the hollow structure.

The grouping has an elongated extension in a longitudinal direction, in practice given by the longitudinally elongated extension of the hollow structure, which preferably has a substantially rectangular plan view outline; therefore transverse is intended as a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of extension of the grouping or of the hollow structure; in particular, a part or portion of transverse wall relates to a component of the assembly which when installed forms a wall or portion of wall of the building to be produced and which with respect to the direction of extension of the hollow structure is transverse (preferably orthogonal). The terms “ground story” and “second story” also relate to components that will have this function once the assembly has been installed on site to produce a building.

The walls and floors can be produced according to different structures, for example be formed by frames that are then filled by masking or covering surfaces, or be formed by monolithic or multilayer panels or the like. For example, the portions of transverse walls, defined hereunder also as first portions of transverse walls, which permanently connect the central portion of the walk floor of the ground story and the central portion of the floor above that define the hollow structure can advantageously be formed by uprights, columns or pillars or vertical beams between which there can be space and can be filled, if necessary, by one or more masking surfaces; the guides for lifting of the portal structure that defines the second story can be produced, for example, in these uprights.

Preferably, according to a preferred embodiment, in a side view (i.e. longitudinal view), the inside of the hollow structure is defined by an outline without any vertical connecting elements, that can be transverse or longitudinal, between the parts of the hollow structure or with other parts external to this, space which is occupied by walls or portions of walls of the assembly when assembled in a grouping; in this manner no connecting elements of parts of the structure are present.

According to a preferred embodiment, the inside of the hollow structure is free of (i.e. does not house) portions of floors with the exclusion of the portion of walk floor and roof floor defining the hollow structure itself; preferably the grouping has only three central portions of horizontal floors.

The space inside the hollow structure is a space defined at least between the walk floor and the ceiling which, in the preferred embodiments, is of greater dimensions with respect to the walk floor. The portions of transverse walls that permanently connect walk floor and roof floor of the hollow structure can be of lesser width with respect to the width of the hollow structure and the space that remains between transverse portion of permanent connection and the longitudinal sides of the walk floor or roof floor of the hollow structure is part of the space inside the same hollow structure.

Preferably, according to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the assembly comprises:

-   -   a walk floor of the ground story formed by:         -   a first lower central portion, substantially rectangular,             forming the walk floor of the prefabricated hollow             structure,         -   two first lower lateral portions (i.e. lateral with respect             to the direction of longitudinal extension of the walk             floor), opposed and hinged substantially along the external             sides of the lower central portion according to longitudinal             axes in a manner to be able to rotate from a vertical             position (preferably oriented upward) in the grouping to a             horizontal installation position,     -   a walk floor of the second story formed by         -   a second central portion, above said first central portion,             substantially rectangular, forming the upper floor or             ceiling of the hollow prefabricated structure,         -   two second lateral portions, opposed and hinged along the             external sides of said second central portion according to             longitudinal axes in a manner to be able to rotate from a             vertical position (preferably oriented downward) in said             grouping to a horizontal installation position,     -   a roofing floor of the second story formed by         -   a third central roofing portion, substantially rectangular,             forming the floor of said portal structure,         -   two third lateral portions, opposed and hinged along the             external sides of said third central portion according to             longitudinal axes in a manner to be able to rotate from a             vertical position (preferably oriented downward) in said             grouping to a horizontal installation position.

Preferably, according to a preferred embodiment, in said grouping the first lateral portions of floor are innermost in the grouping with respect to said second and third lateral portions of floors, while the third lateral portions of floor are outermost in the grouping with respect to the other lateral portions of floors.

This configuration of the floors allows more rapid installation of the building starting from an extremely compact grouping.

Preferably, according to preferred embodiments, in said grouping, said at least one portion of longitudinal end wall of the ground story is contained in said hollow structure, preferably between a respective first lateral portion of walk floor and a respective said portion of transverse lateral end wall relating to said first lateral portion of walk floor.

Preferably, in said grouping, at least one portion of longitudinal end wall of the second story is arranged vertically between a respective said second portion of floor and a respective said third portion of floor.

Preferably, in said grouping, between a respective said second portion of floor and a respective said third portion of floor there is also arranged at least one transverse lateral end wall of the second story; preferably said at least one portion of longitudinal end wall being outermost with respect to the center of said grouping with respect to said transverse end wall.

Preferably, in said hollow structure there are arranged vertically at least one portion of longitudinal end wall of the ground story, at least one portion of transverse lateral end wall relating to the ground story and at least one portion of transverse lateral end wall of the first floor; preferably the arrangement also includes at least one portion of longitudinal end wall of the second story.

According to preferred embodiments, the assembly comprises at least one longitudinal extension for floors to be fixed coplanar to the floors along the longitudinal end side opposite the hinging area, of a corresponding end portion of a lateral portion of floor.

Preferably, said extension is to be arranged externally in a cantilever fashion with respect to the perimeter of the building to produce balconies, terraces and/or awnings.

According to preferred embodiments, lateral portions of the roofing floor are hinged to a central portion of the same slab according to a longitudinal axis.

According to preferred embodiments, lateral portions of the walk floors of the upper stories are hinged to a central portion of the same floors according to a longitudinal axis.

According to preferred embodiments, lateral portions of the walk floor of the ground story are hinged to a central portion of the same floor according to a longitudinal axis.

It has been said that, according to the invention, the prefabricated hollow structure contains, when the assembly is in the grouping for transportation and installation, walls and floors or portions thereof. For example, in the preferred configuration with the lateral portions of floor hinged to the longitudinal sides of the central portions as presented above, the hollow structure is delimited vertically between the first central portion of the walk floor of the ground story and the second central portion of the roof floor of the ground story (ceiling of the hollow structure), while it is delimited laterally (i.e. in transverse direction) by the two second lateral portions of the walk floor of the second story; in this configuration, this hollow structure preferably contains the first lateral portions of the walk floor of the ground story hinged to the first central portion of the same walk floor.

For practical purposes, it may be important for the grouping of components for transportation and for installation to be particularly compact and for this grouping to be structurally strong, just as the building that derives from composition of the components starting from this grouping.

To this end, advantageously, in a preferred embodiment the grouping comprises inside said hollow structure the portions of transverse end wall relating to the lateral portions of the walk floor of the ground story. The term “end” is referred to those walls or portions of walls that form the external perimeter of the building (i.e. that internally or externally form the perimetral walls of the building; therefore these portions of wall can be of the frame type to be filled, panels ready for use as walls, etc.). With respect to the configurations presented above, for example, these transverse end walls or portions thereof, also defined as first portions of transverse lateral walls, are arranged to continue the transverse end facade of the ground story, together with the transverse central portions of walls for permanent connection between the two floors of the hollow structure.

The components of the assembly of the invention can be housed inside the hollow structure or externally thereto: the presence of the first portions of transverse lateral end walls in the hollow structure allows, in the composition of the grouping, this grouping to be planned in a flexible manner, as appropriate positioning of this component in the grouping can facilitate installation. In particular, in a preferred embodiment, a first transverse lateral end wall relating to a first lateral portion of the walk floor of the ground floor is arranged vertically, preferably resting on the central portion of the walk floor of the ground floor and oriented with the flat extension thereof in longitudinal direction; preferably it is positioned in proximity of the side of the first central portion of the walk floor of the ground floor.

In a preferred embodiment, this first transverse lateral end wall, i.e. relating to a lateral portion of the walk floor of the ground story, besides being inside the hollow structure, also has a height substantially the same as or slightly below the height of the space inside the hollow structure, i.e. the distance between the first central portion of the walk floor of the ground story and the second central portion forming the roof floor of the ground story. For example, there could be a space (for example between 0 and 10 cm) between the upper end of this first transverse lateral end wall and the roof floor of the ground story, which may be filled with a gasket or a element of low depth; from an operating point of view, this first transverse lateral end wall helps to support, with the upper part thereof, the roof floor of the ground story (i.e. the walk floor of the second story) which due to deformation under load has a deflection that brings it into contact (indirect in the case of intermediate elements such as gaskets or the like) with the first transverse lateral wall underneath; this provides adequate structural strength both of the assembly in the form of grouping, and of the assembly when assembled to form a building.

Advantageously, according to another embodiment, at least one transverse lateral end wall or portion thereof relating to the lateral portion of the walk floor of the hollow structure always maintains a vertical position during all the installation steps of the building. This makes it possible, for example, always to make use of the height of this transverse lateral end wall or portion thereof to support the loads coming from the floor or portions of floors above, in all the installation steps. Moreover, it also allows, for example, extremely simplified movement.

Preferably, according to another embodiment, this transverse lateral end wall or portion thereof, i.e. relating to the lateral portion of the walk floor of the hollow structure, can rotate, i.e. is provided with means that allow a rotation thereof about a vertical axis preferably intersecting or tangent to the walk floor. This allows considerable simplification of the installation steps of the building. Preferably, this transverse lateral end wall or portion thereof is hinged to a support, such as the central portion of the walk floor or roof floor of the ground story or to an upright forming the transverse central wall for permanent connection between the floors of the hollow structure, this hinging preferably takes place according to a vertical axis intersecting the central portion of the walk floor of the ground story, with the end part of this transverse lateral end wall or portion thereof being arranged in proximity of the hinge axis; this end part therefore rests on the central portion of the walk floor, contributing to the stiffening of the structure as a whole (in fact, when in the installation position, the transverse lateral end wall or portion thereof rests both on the central portion of the walk floor of the ground story and on the related lateral portion of walk floor of the ground story, with adequate distribution of loads).

According to other embodiments, the transverse lateral end walls or portions thereof relating to the second story are also hinged to a support integral or made integral with the second story, according to a vertical axis.

According to other embodiments, the transverse lateral end walls or portions thereof relating to the second story are hinged according to a vertical axis (when in the grouping position) to one side of a longitudinal end (i.e. outer) wall of the second story.

Advantageously, according to a preferred embodiment, translation means are associated with a longitudinal end wall or portion thereof of the ground story or of an upper story, these means being designed to allow guided translation, parallel to itself, from a position of minimum dimensions in the grouping close to or inside the hollow structure, to an installation position to produce the longitudinal end wall of the building; it is evident that in the grouping this longitudinal end wall or portion thereof is arranged longitudinally. In this manner, the installation step is extremely simplified.

According to a preferred embodiment, the assembly comprises a hollow structure and a single portal structure, to thereby define a building with only two stories, a ground story and a second story; preferably, to form a building with several stories, it is possible to arrange, for example, two assemblies, or two groupings, one on top of the other and “open them” (i.e. perform installation), preferably first installing the assembly underneath and then the one above.

According to a preferred embodiment, in the grouping the central portion of roof floor forming the portal structure is substantially abutting against and/or supported by the upper central portion of the hollow structure below. With the term “supported” it is intended that the uppermost upper portion discharges, directly or indirectly through the interposing of intermediate elements such as a supporting pad, mat, etc., at least part of its weight onto the lower central portion of the hollow structure below; it is understood that there may therefore be a space between the two surfaces, for example with a height between 0 and 40 cm.

According to a preferred embodiment, when the assembly is configured as grouping, it has an arrangement of the portions of walls and of the floors substantially symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal vertical plane passing along the longitudinal centerline of said hollow structure. Therefore, there will be opposed pairs of lateral portions of floors hinged to the respective central portions of the floors and pairs of transverse or longitudinal walls or portions thereof associated with respective lateral portions of floors.

According to preferred embodiments, covering panels of the portions of transverse end walls for connection of the central portions of floors may be arranged inside the hollow structure; preferably these panels (or walls) can be arranged vertically and/or horizontally with transverse orientation and preferably straddle the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the grouping.

In the various embodiments, walls or portions of walls and portions of floors can be anchored extemporaneously to one another to allow common movement thereof during the installation step (for example transverse lateral walls anchored to longitudinal walls and/or to portions of floors).

To further sum up the inventive concept, the assembly of prefabricated elements to form a prefabricated building with at least two stories, wherein the assembly comprises:

-   -   a hollow prefabricated structure formed by portions of the walk         floors of the ground story and of the story above permanently         connected to one another by means of portions of transverse         walls of the ground story, the hollow structure being designed         to extemporaneously contain walls and floors of the building or         portions thereof to form a grouping of prefabricated         constructional elements designed for transportation to the         installation site, and     -   for each story above the ground story, a prefabricated portal         structure formed by a central portion of the roof floor of this         story connected permanently to two portions of transverse walls         of the same story, said portal structures being designed to be         inserted with the respective portions of floor resting on top of         one another above said hollow structure to form said compact         grouping and then, during installation, to be anchored to one         another and to the hollow structure by means of the respective         portions of transverse walls.

Moreover, to facilitate assembly on site, between said portions of transverse walls of the portal structures and said portions of transverse walls that form the hollow structure, the assembly of prefabricated elements can comprise guide means to guide the portal structures in the movement to lift them on top of the hollow structure. Furthermore, in said assembly, at least some of said portions of the walk floor and roof floor can be hinged to lateral portions of the respective walk floors, to facilitate installation thereof.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to said grouping of the components of the assembly, grouping that can be defined as in one or more of the configurations described above.

Other examples of grouping are given below. According to one embodiment, in this grouping the hollow structure contains walls and floors of the building or portions thereof and the portal structures are placed on top of said hollow structure with the respective portions of roof floor resting on top of one another on the upper face of the hollow structure and the portions of transverse walls placed adjacent to one another and to the portions of transverse walls of the ground story. According to another embodiment, in the cavity of said hollow structure the longitudinal walls of the ground story are firstly placed adjacent to one another centrally and subsequently, in this order, first the transverse walls of the upper story and covering panels of portions of transverse walls of the lower story, then the transverse walls of the ground story, then the lateral portions of the walk floor of the ground story, then the lateral portions of the walk floor of the upper story, are placed adjacent thereto, on opposite sides. According to another embodiment, the longitudinal walls of the upper story are placed externally to the lateral portions of the upper story and said portal structure is then placed resting on top of the group thus formed, while the lateral portions of the roof floor are placed laterally adjacent to said group. According to another embodiment, the longitudinal walls of the upper group thus formed are fixed extemporaneously to said portions of transverse walls and to the central portion of the roof floor of said portal structure.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a fabrication and/or assembly process of the assembly or of the grouping as described above.

According to a first mode of operation, the assembly process of walls and floors to form a prefabricated building with two stories starting from a grouped assembly according to one or more of the configurations described above, comprises:

-   -   placing in a suitable position the grouping of floors and walls         with its base formed by the first central portion of the walk         floor of the ground story resting on a suitable support; lifting         said portal structure on top of said hollow structure and fixing         the portal structure to the hollow structure;     -   rotating the lateral portions of the walk floor of the second         story from a vertical position to a horizontal position and         supporting them in said position;     -   rotating the lateral portions of the walk floor of the upper         story from a vertical position to a horizontal position.

According to a mode of implementation, rotation of the lateral portions of the roof floor of the second story from a vertical position to a horizontal position (with support in this position) takes place before lifting of the portal structure. According to another mode of implementation, rotation of the lateral portions of the roof floor of the second story takes place after lifting of the portal structure (with support in this position).

According to a mode of implementation, rotation of the lateral portions of the roof floor of the second story from a vertical position to a horizontal position takes place before rotation of the lateral portions of the walk floor of the second story from a vertical position to a horizontal position. According to another embodiment, rotation of the lateral portions of the roof floor of the second story from a vertical position to a horizontal position takes place after rotation of the lateral portions of the walk floor of the second story from a vertical position to a horizontal position.

According to a mode of implementation, the transverse lateral walls are placed in final position when the respective lateral portions of floors above and below have already been positioned; preferably, positioning of said transverse lateral walls takes place by rotation about a vertical axis, preferably the transverse lateral walls relating to the ground story are always vertical during installation.

According to a mode of implementation, the longitudinal perimetral walls are placed in final position when the respective lateral portions of floors above and below have already been positioned; according to a mode of implementation, preferably said longitudinal perimetral walls can translate parallel to itself from the position in the grouping to the final position, according to another mode of implementation, the longitudinal perimetral walls of the second story are constrained to the respective lateral portions of the roof floor of the second story and during lifting of the portal structure these longitudinal perimetral walls of the second story rotate and translate from a horizontal position assumed previously to the final vertical position.

According to a mode of operation, transverse lateral walls and/or longitudinal walls can be rotated together with corresponding lateral portions of floor from a vertical position to a horizontal position and subsequently repositioned vertically.

According to a mode of operation, a first lifting of the portal structure, of lesser travel to the final lifting, is carried out to allow intermediate rotational movements of the various portions of walls; preferably said first lifting is followed by a first rotation from vertical to horizontal of the lateral portions of roof floor of the second story and a subsequent rotation from vertical to horizontal of the assemblies formed by the lateral portions of the walk floor of the second story with the respective transverse and longitudinal walls of the second story fixed extemporaneously, followed by lifting of the portal structure into final position.

According to a mode of operation, during lifting of the portal structure, the transverse walls of the portal structure slide on or inside the transverse walls of the hollow structure.

According to a mode of operation, the lateral portions of the floors of the second story and of its roof are supported at the free periphery, preferably at least in the corner areas, by permanent support columns.

According to a mode of operation, floor extensions can be anchored to the free ends of the portions of floor; these extensions can be inside the perimeter of the building once it has been completed, or outside to form balconies and/or awnings.

According to preferred embodiments of the process according to the invention, assembly on site comprises the following steps:

laying foundations designed to support the prefabricated building in predetermined points;

transporting said grouping of walls and floors of the building to the installation site;

placing in position the grouping of floors and walls with its base—composed of the central portion of the walk floor of the ground story—resting in its final position on the foundation;

lifting said portal structure on top of said hollow structure in its position of use and fixing the portal structure to the hollow structure.

Preferably, before lifting of the portal structure on top of the hollow structure, the lateral portions of the roof floor are rotated into horizontal position and fixed temporarily to form with the adjacent central portion the roof floor.

Preferably, the process also comprises:

rotating the lateral portions of the walk floor of the upper story into horizontal position and fixing them temporarily to form this floor with the adjacent central portion thereof;

rotating the lateral portions of the walk floor of the ground story into horizontal position to form this floor with the respective adjacent central portion;

fixing the walk floor of the ground story to the foundation bed by means of bolts with anti-seismic dampers interposed;

placing in position the transverse walls of the ground story fixing them to the walk floor of same story, to the lower face (forming the ceiling) of the walk floor of the upper story and to the portions of transverse walls of said hollow structure;

placing in position the transverse walls of the upper story fixing them to the walk floor of the upper story, to the lower face (forming the ceiling) of the roof floor of the upper story and to the portions of transverse walls of said portal structure;

placing in position the longitudinal walls of the two stories fixing them to the respective adjacent floors and walls;

thus completing assembly on site of the load bearing structure of the building.

Preferably, before lifting the various portions of the roof floor and of the walk floor of the upper story into the final position, temporary service railings are attached along the external edges thereof.

Preferably, to make the assembly formed by said hollow structure with said portal structure on top and fixed thereto stable during assembly, some poles are arranged along the longitudinal sides of the roof floor, fixed to these sides and to the foundation bed.

Preferably, at the upper end thereof, said poles placed on each longitudinal side of the building are connected at the upper end by a crosspiece which runs along the whole of this side, the poles and the crosspiece being provided with winches adapted to lift, by means of respective cables, the lateral portions of the walk floor of the upper story and the portions of transverse walls of the upper story into horizontal position.

Preferably, in said assembly formed by said hollow structure with said portal structure on top and fixed thereto, at the top of the central portions of transverse wall of the lower story there are fixed winches, adapted to control, by means of respective cables, the rotational movement to lower the lateral portions of the walk floor of the ground story into horizontal position.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a prefabricated building according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded schematic perspective view of the building of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the grouping according to the invention formed extemporaneously with the constructional elements of the prefabricated building of FIG. 1, such as walls, walk floor and roof floors, or parts thereof, for transportation to the installation site;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the grouping of elements of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view according to V-V of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view according to VI-VI of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the building of FIG. 1 in one assembly step;

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the building of FIG. 1 in another assembly step;

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the building of FIG. 1 in yet another assembly step;

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the building of FIG. 1 in yet another assembly step;

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the building of FIG. 1 in yet another assembly step;

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the building of FIG. 1 in yet another assembly step;

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the building of FIG. 1 in yet another assembly step;

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the building of FIG. 1 in yet another assembly step;

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of the building of FIG. 1 in yet another assembly step;

FIG. 16 is a front view of two facades of the building according to XVI-XVI;

FIG. 17 is a front view of two facades of the building, according to XVII-XVII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view according to XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of XIX-XIX of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is sectional view according to XX-XX of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a vertical sectional view of a temporary railing attached to the edge of a floor of the building during assembly thereof;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged front view of the detail XXII of FIG. 8;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view according to XXIII-XXIII of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of the detail XXIV of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view according to XXV-XXV of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a view according to XXVI-XXVI of FIG. 20;

FIG. 27 is a front view of an auxiliary balance for lifting of the portal structure V onto the hollow structure W;

FIG. 28 is a schematic view of assembly steps of the building using auxiliary equipment;

FIG. 29 is a schematic view of assembly steps of the building using auxiliary equipment;

FIG. 30 is a schematic cross sectional front view of a second embodiment of a grouping of elements of an assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 31 is a schematic sectional top view of the grouping of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 30;

FIG. 34 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 30;

FIG. 35 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 30;

FIG. 36 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 30;

FIG. 37 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 30;

FIG. 38 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 30;

FIG. 39 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 30;

FIG. 40 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 30;

FIG. 41 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 30;

FIG. 42 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 30;

FIG. 43 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of a third embodiment of a grouping of elements of an assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 44 is a schematic sectional top view of the grouping of FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 43;

FIG. 46 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 43;

FIG. 47 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 43;

FIG. 48 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 43;

FIG. 49 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 43;

FIG. 50 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 43;

FIG. 51 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 43;

FIG. 52 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 43;

FIG. 53 is a schematic perspective view of the structural skeleton of the building that can be produced with the embodiment of the assembly of FIG. 43;

FIG. 54 is a view of temporary components to be fixed to the elements of the assembly for installation according to FIGS. 45 to 52;

FIG. 55 is a schematic cross-sectional front view, again of the third embodiment, but relating to a different mode of installation;

FIG. 56 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 55;

FIG. 57 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 55;

FIG. 58 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 55;

FIG. 59 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 55

FIG. 60 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 55;

FIG. 61 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 55;

FIG. 62 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 55;

FIG. 63 is a schematic front view of the installation of a building starting from the grouping of FIG. 55;

FIG. 64 is a view of temporary components to be fixed to the elements of the assembly for the installation according to FIGS. 56 to 63;

FIG. 65 is a view of temporary components to be fixed to the elements of the assembly for the installation according to FIGS. 56 to 63;

FIG. 66 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of a fourth embodiment of a grouping of elements of an assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 67 is a schematic sectional top view of the grouping of FIG. 66;

FIG. 68 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of a fifth embodiment of a grouping of elements of an assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 69 is a schematic sectional top view of the grouping of FIG. 68;

FIG. 70 is a schematic plan view of the ground story as in the examples of FIG. 43 and following;

FIG. 71 is a schematic plan view of the second story as in the examples of FIG. 43 and following; and

FIG. 72 is a schematic plan view of the roof of buildings as in the examples of FIG. 43 and following.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 29, a building with two stories according to the invention has a general parallelepiped shape as show schematically in FIG. 1 and is formed by walls and floors that are 80% finished in a fabrication plant far from the installation site, these elements being grouped together to be thus transported with a suitable means of transport in a single journey to the installation site. The building is designed to provide a dwelling sufficient to contain a family of 4/5 people, with all the necessary rooms and with dimensions that allow a good quality of life complying with certifiable quality in sustainable and environmentally-friendly building band and with energy saving and thermal and acoustic insulation regulations for residential buildings.

In FIGS. 16 and 17, which show in detail respective lateral views of the building, and in FIGS. 18 and 19, which show two cross sections of the building, the various prefabricated components (such as walls and floors or portions thereof are shown with the various openings provided with door and window frames, such as the opening P1 for the front door and with various surfaces with windows P2-P4) after assembly to form the load bearing structure of the building which, in substance, consists of two large environments placed one on top of the other. The building may then be completed by means of dividing walls, stairs to access the upper floor and the like.

The advantages offered by the invention are mainly:

-   -   reducing site installation times by a period that can be         estimated around 85% with respect to that of a conventional         construction, in particular through the assembly process         according to the invention, which allows installation of the         structure of the building in just one day;     -   limiting the works to be carried out on site, in particular for         excavation and laying the foundation bed;     -   allowing structural and internal modifications according to the         client's requests already in the step to construct walls and         floors in the factory;     -   allowing a substantial reduction in the normal steps with         prolonged danger in the sites for the preparation on site of         masonry, floors, roofs and the like, steps which require moving         structures or safety and protective devices, such as fixed and         moving scaffolding, adapted to guarantee safety and prevent         accidents on the worksite, devices that have a high incidence on         the cost of the finished product.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, according to the invention, the building comprises:

-   -   a hollow prefabricated structure W formed by portions M, N of         the walk floors of the lower and upper stories, respectively,         permanently connected to one another by means of portions I of         transverse walls of the ground story; and     -   a prefabricated portal structure V formed by a central portion O         of the roof floor connected permanently to two portions L of         transverse walls of the upper story.

In the present description, the terms “transverse” and “longitudinal” refer to an element (such as a wall or the like) extending parallel to the facades of FIG. 16 and of FIG. 17, respectively. Moreover, the ground story, where the term is not ambiguous, is also called “lower”. The story above the ground story is also defined second story.

Hereunder, the portion M is also defined as “first central portion” of floor of the ground story, the portion N is defined as “second central portion” of floor of the second story, the portion O is defined as “third central portion” of floor of the story above the second story.

For transportation to the installation site, according to the invention a grouping Z (see FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6) of prefabricated elements is formed, comprising the hollow structure W, wherein the first central portion M of floor of the lower story forms the base for resting the grouping Z on the ground. The portal structure V is placed on top of the structure W with the third central portion of roof floor resting on the second central portion N of floor of the upper story of the hollow structure W (see in particular FIG. 6) and with the portions L of transverse walls of the upper story placed adjacent to the portions 1 of transverse walls of the lower story which are part of the hollow structure W. These portions L thus form the external transverse end faces of said grouping Z. Moreover, all the other structure elements of the building are placed in the hollow structure W to form a grouping Z of parallelepiped shape which can be transported in a block, elements which are placed in the following order and arrangement (see FIGS. 4 and 5):

-   -   first longitudinal external walls F1, F2 of the lower story, are         arranged centrally in the hollow structure W; there are placed         externally to these     -   pairs of second transverse lateral end walls E1, E2; E3, E4 of         the upper story and of covering panels H, H of portions of         transverse walls of the lower story, the walls of each pair         being arranged coplanar with each other, and these pairs are         placed adjacent on opposite sides of said walls F1, F2; then         there are placed in the grouping     -   pairs of first transverse lateral end walls D1, D2; D3, D4 of         the lower story, the walls of each pair being coplanar with each         other, said pairs being placed adjacent on opposite sides to         said pairs of transverse walls E1, E2; E3, E4 of the upper         story; then there are placed in the grouping     -   first lateral portions C of the walk floor of the lower story         which are hinged according to respective longitudinal axes x-x         along respective longitudinal sides of the first central portion         M of the same floor which forms the base on which said hollow         structure W rests, these first lateral portions C being rotated         upward through 90° in a vertical plane and placed adjacent to         said pairs of first transverse lateral walls D1, D2, D3, D4 of         the lower story; then there are placed in the grouping     -   second lateral portions B of the walk floor of the upper story         which are hinged according to respective longitudinal axes y-y         along respective longitudinal sides of the second central         portion N of the same floor that forms the upper part of said         hollow structure W, these second lateral portions B being         rotated downward through 90° in a vertical plane and placed         adjacent on opposite sides to said portions C of the walk floor         of the lower story;     -   then, externally to said second lateral portions B of the walk         floor of the upper story, there are attached in the grouping Z         the second longitudinal walls G1, G2 of the upper story which         are fixed extemporaneously on opposite sides, for example by         through bolts, to the sides of the portions L of transverse         walls of the upper story and to the third central portion O of         the roof floor which are part of the portal structure V;     -   finally, there are arranged externally to these longitudinal         walls G1, G2 third lateral portions A of the roof floor which         are hinged according to respective longitudinal axes t-t to the         corresponding sides of the third central portion O of the same         floor, these third lateral portions A being rotated downward         through 90° in a vertical plane so as to form the longitudinal         lateral faces of the grouping Z.

It must be noted that the advantageous relative arrangement of the various portions of floor in said grouping is the same as the examples of the other embodiments to be described hereunder.

All these structural elements are held in the grouping Z anchoring them extemporaneously using special fixing means, such as belts or the like, in a manner to provide the grouping Z with sufficient stability to allow transportation thereof to the installation site.

In this example, the various structural parts, such as walls and floors or portions thereof, have a load bearing structure made of wood and steel treated with specific products, for correct preservation of these materials, and an infill wall in wood or other materials of natural and non-natural origin, which cooperate with the structure and provide the necessary thermal and acoustic insulation. These parts are taken to the installation site substantially already finished except for the coverings of the internal surfaces, preferably already complete with supply and discharge piping for the plumbing and heating systems and for the passage of electricity distribution cables and telephone lines, piping which, during installation, will be connected between the various adjacent elements (walls and floors) using specific connections.

As the building according to the invention is a relatively lightweight structure compared to conventional masonry buildings, it requires foundation beds of reduced dimensions given the same geological ground conditions. A lightweight structure of this kind also allows a noteworthy reduction in the costs of on-site operations, requiring minor excavation depths and a smaller quantity of concrete and reinforcement bars used, and the building can be anchored to the foundation bed by means of neoprene dampers which, in the event of an earthquake, are able to absorb the stresses of the ground and guarantee maximum safety.

The building described above has external dimensions at the base of 7.63 m in width and 9.60 m in length, with a height of 6.31 m on the foundation bed. Moreover, with the arrangement describe above and with floors and walls 20 cm in depth, the grouping Z has dimensions of 9.60 m×2.80 m at the base and 3.60 m in height, which fall within the dimensions permissible for transportation of exceptional loads. It is thus possible to transport this grouping to the installation site using an articulated vehicle.

In an assembly process according to the invention, assembly on site of the building takes place in the following manner.

The grouping Z, once taken to the site, will be placed in the arrangement shown in FIG. 3 with its base, from the first central portion M of the walk floor of the lower story, on a concrete foundation bed PF (FIG. 6) with the interposing of specific neoprene anti-seismic dampers T.

Temporary railings PP (FIG. 21) will then be anchored to the edge of the roof floor (A, O, A), designed to allow assembly personnel to work in complete safety against the risk of falling from height once the roof floor has assumed its final position to form the flat horizontal roof of the building.

These railings PP comprise vertical supports formed by a pair of tubular elements PP1, PP2 inserted telescopically inside one another and which can be made to slide reciprocally by means of an internal screw device operated by means of a crank PP3. At the bottom, each tubular element PP1, PP2 has a bracket PP4, PPS, respectively, designed to be inserted in a respective front opening of an external edge beam (such as the edge beam X) of a floor along which the railing must be attached. By operating the crank PP3, the two brackets are each anchored in a respective vertical support external to the edge beam. Once a certain number of these vertical supports have been fixed along the edge beam, these can be connected to one another by means of planks inserted in brackets PP6 of the vertical supports, to form a safety railing.

To attach these railings to the third lateral portions A of the roofing floor, these are partially lifted by means of an external lifting means rotating them about their hinge with axis t-t. After the railings have been attached, these lateral portions A are then taken to horizontal position (arrow F1 of FIG. 7) and fixed to the sides of the second portions of transverse end walls L of the portal structure by temporary anchor means, such as inclined struts A1.

The steps described above are also carried out with the aid of a working platform having a maximum height of 1.5/2.0 m from the ground and therefore in conditions of low risk.

The next step is vertical lifting (arrow F2 of FIG. 8) of the portal structure V on top of the hollow structure W. During lifting, the portal structure V with the third lateral portions of roof floor A lying horizontally and the longitudinal walls G of the upper story temporarily anchored to the second portions L of transverse end walls of the upper story, is guided by guide means arranged between the portions of transverse walls L of the upper story and the first portions of transverse walls 1 of the lower story.

These guide means comprise a pair of C sections, indicated with MG1 in FIGS. 22 to 25, attached to the outer face of the portions of transverse wall I of the hollow structure W in proximity of its vertical sides, with the opening of the C facing outward, these sections being part of a metal reinforcement extending along the sides of the portions of transverse wall I. A similar reinforcement MG2 is attached to the internal face of the portion of transverse wall L of the portal structure V, attached to the lower part of which are trolleys MG3, each provided with pairs of wheels, designed to run inside said sections MG1.

Lifting of the portal structure V on top of the hollow structure W is carried out with the aid of external lifting means, such as a mobile crane, using two or more steel balances of the type indicated with R in FIG. 27 temporarily anchored by tie rods R1 to the upper faces A, O, A of the roof floor and lifted by the mobile crane by means of a pair of tie rods R2. After reaching the desired height, the portal structure V is fixed temporarily to the hollow structure W by pins S1 (FIGS. 22, 23) that pass through holes of the lateral walls L of the portal structure V and specific seats S2 provided in the second central portion of floor N of the upper story. This is followed by final fixing of the walls L to the floor N of the hollow structure W by means of connecting brackets similar to the brackets K of FIG. 26, guaranteeing a stable position of the portal structure V on top of the hollow structure W during and after the subsequent assembly operations.

At this point, in the assembly thus formed with the portal structure V lifted on top of the hollow structure W and with the roof floor A,O,A lying completely in the final position, some vertical poles PV, PVX, for example three for each side, are placed adjacent to the roof floor along the longitudinal sides thereof, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29. The poles PV are positioned in proximity of the vertices of the roof floor and fixed at the upper end thereof to the longitudinal edge of the roof floor by means of a bracket PV 1 provided with winch, and at the lower end thereof to the foundation bed by means of a foot PV2 adjustable in height. The poles PVX are positioned along the centerline of the longitudinal sides of the building and are fixed in a similar manner to the poles PV.

This is followed by horizontal positioning of the second lateral portions B of the walk floor of the upper story which have now become accessible in the grouping Z. As already carried out for the roof floor, temporary railings are fixed to the walk faces of this floor B, N, B to guarantee safety in the subsequent assembly steps. Then the lateral portions B, in proximity of the longitudinal free edge thereof, are hooked with the steel cables PV3 of the winches PV1 of the various poles PV and PVX and lifted into horizontal position (arrow F3 of FIGS. 9 and 28), rotating them about the hinge y-y that joins them to the central portion N of floor, to form therewith the walk floor of the upper story. After being positioned, the parts B are temporarily anchored using gusset plates PV4 to the poles PV and PVX, also in this case using a working platform having a maximum height of 1.5/2.0 m from the ground and therefore in conditions of low risk.

The first laterals portions C of the walk floor of the lower story is then taken to horizontal position, rotating them downward (arrow F4 of FIGS. 10 to 28) about the respective hinges with axis x-x after having hooked them in proximity of the free edge by means of steel cables N1 of winches N2 attached to the transverse walls 1 in proximity of the top thereof, to control the lowering movement in rotation of the portions C setting them on the bed PF with the interposing of anti-seismic dampers T provided therein.

At this point, it is possible to fix to the bed PF all the portions C, M, C of the walk floor of the lower story by means of bolts and brackets, as indicated in FIG. 20. In particular, metal brackets K (FIG. 26), having a horizontal edge with holes for anchoring them to the anti-seismic dampers T by means of specific bolts T1, are attached along the perimeter of this floor. To fix the central portion M of the walk floor of the lower story, openings C1 are produced in the adjacent portions C of the floor to allow this fixing with brackets (similar to the brackets K) to the respective dampers T, otherwise not accessible.

The transverse lateral external walls D1, D2; D3, D4 of the lower story are then arranged in their final position (FIG. 11) and fixed to the walk floors C and B of the upper and lower stories, also integrating the temporary connection between the central portions of lateral walls (L) and the walk floor (N) of the upper story with final fixing. The transverse lateral external walls E1, E2; E3, E4 of the upper story are then arranged in their final position (FIG. 12, 29) lifting them by means of winches PV1-PV5 (and respective cables PV7) attached to a crosspiece PV6 fixed, on each longitudinal side of the building, to the top of the poles PV, PVX and these walls are anchored to the respective walk floor B and to the roof floor A. For positioning thereof, these transverse walls of both stories are rotated through 90° about a vertical axis, as shown by the arrows F5 of FIG. 11 and F6 of FIG. 12, the movement being facilitated and guided by means of rolling rollers Q (FIG. 26) incorporated in the lower and upper edges of the walls, rollers that run in specific rails U1 (FIG. 20) with a curvilinear trend attached to a face of the various portions of the respective floor. The various transverse walls are fixed to the adjacent floors using brackets similar to those K, K1 of FIG. 26, adapted to allow this fixing by means of nuts and bolts.

The longitudinal walls F1, F2 of the lower story are then placed in position, translating them according to the arrows F7 of FIG. 13 from their central position in the grouping Z to their final position flush with the transverse walls D1, D3; D2, D4 of the lower story. The same operation is repeated for the longitudinal walls G1, G2 of the upper story, translating them according to the arrows F8 of FIG. 14 from their temporary fixing position flush with the central portion L of the transverse walls of the upper story, to their final position flush with the lateral transverse walls E1, E2; E3, E4 of the upper story. Rolling (rollers Q) and guide means (such as the rectilinear rails U2 of FIG. 20) similar to those described above for the transverse lateral walls will also be used for these movements, and fixing means analogous to those described above will be used to fix the longitudinal walls F1, F2; G1, G2 to the respective floors and adjacent transverse walls.

At this point the load bearing structure of the building with two stories according to the invention, formed by the external walls and by the walk and roof floors, is completed, with the external walls already provided with door and window frames and with the internal and external surfaces substantially finished. It is deemed that the assembly of this structure as described above can be carried out in just one day.

The various finishing works can then be carried out, such as the installation of one or more staircases connecting the two stories internally, the assembly of two covering panels H (FIG. 15)—which were also part of the grouping Z (see FIG. 4)—to be placed externally over the portions 1 of transverse walls of the lower story and which cover the connections of the piping of the various systems between the lower story and the upper story, the assembly of aesthetic elements and of copper metalwork, such as downpipes and flashings, and all the internal finishing steps, such as the installation of dividing walls, plasterboard ceilings, wooden flooring, bathroom and kitchen coverings, the assembly of internal frames, the joining and connection of systems, the assembly of electrical and sanitary equipment.

In its entirety, the building with two stories according to the invention can be assembled and made habitable in two weeks.

In another embodiment, the invention is applicable to a building with more than two stories, for example three. In this case, the assembly of prefabricated elements comprises, as shown in FIG. 6, besides the hollow structure W and the portal structure V of the story above the ground story, also a second portal structure V1 (indicated with dashed lines in FIG. 6) formed by the roof floor O1 of the highest story and, integral therewith, two portions of transverse walls L1 of the same story.

In the grouping Z, the second portal structure V1 is resting with its floor O1 on top of and in contact with the slab O of the first portal structure V, and the portions of transverse walls L1 are placed adjacent to the corresponding portions L of the first portal structure V. Moreover, between the portions of transverse walls L, L1 placed adjacent to one another there can be provided guide means to guide the second portal structure V1 during lifting thereof on top of the first portal structure V during installation thereof.

FIGS. 30 and 31 show a variant of embodiment. The letters identifying the components of the grouping assembly are the same as the example described above, varying only the arrangement of these components in the grouping Z and the mode of carrying out assembly. The same consideration on the reference signs is valid also for the further examples of variants of embodiments described below.

In FIGS. 30 and 31, the number of components is varied as each lateral portion C of the walk floor of the ground story is composed of two parts, a first part, again indicated with C, hinged about the axes x-x to the sides of the first central portion M of the walk floor of the ground story, and a part C1 (or C2) of extension of this part C, designed to allow the dimensions of the ground story to be increased or in any case to compensate differences in width with the other lateral portions of the floors above B and A. Just as in the preceding example, in grouping configuration Z, inside the hollow structure W there are present (starting from the longitudinal vertical centerline plane, the grouping being symmetrical, outward),

-   -   the longitudinal external walls of the ground story F1-F2,     -   pairs of second transverse end walls E1-E2, E3-E4 relating to         the second lateral portions of floor B, or of the second story,         arranged in pairs in proximity of the ends of the first central         portion of floor M,     -   pairs of first transverse end walls D1-D2, D3-D4 relating to the         first lateral portions of floor C, or of the ground story,         arranged in pairs in proximity of the ends of the first central         portion of floor M (respective covering panels H, H of portions         of transverse walls I of the lower story are arranged between         the walls D1-D3 and D2-D4),     -   the extensions C1-C2 of the first lateral portions C of the walk         floor of the ground story and     -   the same lateral portions C of the walk floor of the ground         story.

Outside the hollow structure W the arrangement of the portions of floors and of walls is analogous to the preceding example. For anything that is not described below, reference should be made to the preceding example.

It must be noted that both in this example and in the preceding example, but also in the subsequent examples, in the grouping the walls or portions of walls and/or floors are arranged with their flat extension with vertical orientation, i.e. resting on a side element of reduced depth.

Moreover, additional components are present in this example, such as longitudinal flat modules B1-B2 to be fixed in a cantilevered fashion to the longitudinal side elements of respective lateral portions of the walk floor of the second story B, and which in practice form longitudinal “balconies” of the building.

Further longitudinal flat modules A1-A2 are also present, to be fixed in a cantilever fashion to the longitudinal side elements of respective third lateral portions of the roof floor of the second story A, and which in practice form the longitudinal “eaves” of the building, for example to form “awnings” for the balconies A1-A2. In this example the modules A1-A2 and B1-B2 are external to the grouping, for example resting on the roof thereof, but in other embodiments all or only some of these modules could be arranged inside the hollow structure W (for example, arranged on top of the extensions C1).

It must be noted how both in this example and in the preceding example, the depths of the walls or portions of walls and of the floors is similar. For example, the perimetral or end walls have a depth between 18.65 cm and 20.65 cm (preferably 19.65 cm) and the floors have a depth between 18 cm and 20 cm (preferably 19 cm).

In this latter example, the total width of the grouping is between 256 cm and 350 cm (preferably 320 cm) and the height of the grouping is between 314 cm and 384 cm (preferably 354 cm). Again in this example, the total gross surface area of the building is equal to around 173.9 sqm, with the net floor surface equal to around 155.2 sqm.

Hereunder (FIGS. 32 to 39) the process for installation of the building, which is varied in relation to the preceding example, is described schematically only with regard to the movements of floors and walls. The compact grouping Z is shown in FIG. 32. Once this has been placed on and fixed to the bed, the upper part of the grouping, i.e. the portal structure V (formed by the third central portion of floor O with the third transverse end walls L fixed to the ends thereof) with the third lateral portions of walk floor A of the second story hinged still in vertical position and oriented downward, is lifted and locked (FIG. 33). It must be noted that the respective longitudinal walls of the second story G1 and G2 are reversibly fixed to the third lateral portions A and therefore are also lifted. Then the second lateral portions of floor B are lifted upward, rotating them about the axes y-y to the horizontal position and are then locked in this position (FIG. 34).

At this point, the first lateral portions of floor C are rotated downward (about the axes x-x) in horizontal position (FIG. 35). The extensions C1 and C2 are then picked up and fixed horizontally on the lateral ends of these first lateral portions of floor C (FIG. 36).

The first portions of transverse lateral end walls D1, D2, D3 and D4 relating to the lateral portions of floor of the ground story are then rotated about the respective vertical axes, from the inside of the hollow structure W to the outside by a right angle, to form part of the perimeter of the building (FIG. 37).

The longitudinal walls G1 and G2 are then separated from the respective third lateral portions of floor A and these latter are lifted upward, rotating them about the axes t-t to the horizontal position and then locked in this position (FIG. 38). The portions of transverse lateral end walls E1, E2, E3 and E4 of the lateral portions of floor of the second story are then extracted from the hollow structure W and positioned to form part of the perimeter of the building (FIG. 39). At this point, the longitudinal walls F1-F2 of the ground story are translated to the outside of the hollow structure W to close it (FIG. 40). Analogously, the longitudinal walls G1 and G2 of the second story are translated outward to close the perimeter of the building on the second story (FIG. 41). The covering panels H, H are then attached to the portions of transverse walls 1 of the lower floor and finally the balconies B1-B2 and the eaves A1-A2 are arranged as described above (FIG. 42).

FIGS. 43, 44 and 53 show a third embodiment. The letters identifying the components of the grouping assembly are the same as the examples described above, varying only the arrangement of these components in the grouping Z and the mode of carrying out assembly.

In this embodiment, the structural casing of the assembly and therefore of the building is formed by a “reticular” or “punctiform” structure (FIG. 53). In practice the frame of the primary structure is formed by sections or beams made of metal (or another material, such as wood) which form the nine flat parts or frames with rectangular shape (the portions of floor M, C, N, B, O, A) which, after reaching the final position, form the walk floors of the ground story M-C, of the intermediate or second story N-B and the roof floors O-A. The secondary framework of the flat frames is for example composed of cold press-formed C sections.

For vertical support, the structural casing is provided with columns MG1 fixed permanently at the ends thereof to the ends of the frame of the first central portion M of the floor of the ground story and to the ends of the frame of the second central portion N of the walk floor of the second story, to form in practice the framework of the transverse walls of the hollow structure W. These columns MG1 define the guides for corresponding uprights MG2 that form the framework of the transverse walls of the portal structure V. These further uprights MG2 are slidingly inserted into the guides MG1 and therefore the frame of the third central portion O of the roof floor of the second story is permanently anchored to the upper ends thereof.

To support the end parts of the lateral portions A and B of the walk floor and roof floors of the second story, i.e. the parts opposite the area of hinging to the hollow structure W, columns CG are used, fixed stably at the base thereof and preferably to the free angles of the flat frames of these lateral portions of floor, as will be better described hereunder.

The skeleton of the building is composed of a central body made of steel (the hollow structure W), directly connected to which are the various parts which, by means of pivot, lifting and translation systems, complete the extension of the surfaces. The rest of the structure, and therefore the infill panels of the external walls, will be produced, for example, with monolithic insulating panels or multilayer or sandwich panels and therefore have decidedly lower depths with respect to those of the floors if compared to the preceding examples, wherein all or some of the walls could collaborate in supporting the load above of the floors.

In this example, the dimensions of the grouping Z are those of a “module” that has the measurements of reference of a 20 foot container with the height of a “high cube” which, once opened on site, reaches a net surface area of around 38.85 sqm, which arranged on two stories reaches a total net surface area of around 77.70 sqm with a minimum height of around 2.40 m. The total surface area of a single building produced with this assembly corresponds approximately to the surface area of six standard containers. However, said dimensions are not binding as, according to market demands, modules with different dimensions could be developed.

In this example, the transverse arrangement of the various walls, floors or portions of walls or floors of the assembly is as follows (as the arrangement is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal centerline plane of the grouping, this arrangement is listed from the inside outward with respect to this centerline and with reference to only one side): portion of transverse lateral end wall D1 (which is hinged vertically to the column MG1), the longitudinal lateral wall F1 relating to the ground story, the first lateral portion C of the walk floor of the ground story (the components listed above are inside the hollow structure W), the second lateral portion B of the walk floor of the second story, the transverse lateral end portion E1 relating to the second lateral portion of the walk floor of the second story and the longitudinal lateral wall G1.

A first operating mode for installation of the building starting from the grouping now described is the following (FIGS. 46 to 54).

First step. After placing the grouping Z on the ground and in position, lifting is carried out using a mobile crane, which will hook its cables to the temporary component SL (FIGS. 46 and 54), which in turn will be anchored to the third central portion of floor O by means of nuts and bolts. After starting lifting, the portal structure V starts its travel maintained in the guide by the sliding coupling of the uprights MG2 in the uprights MG1. After reaching the required height, two shear pins are inserted in the holes S2 in the uprights MG1 and MG2 to prevent descent thereof and allow locking with final nuts and bolts S1 (it is understood that other locking systems could also be used). After the portal structure V has been locked on the hollow structure W below, four brackets SB are mounted, which connect the uprights MG2 to the second central portion of floor N by means of the temporary fixing component (FIGS. 46 and 54) SB 1 to maintain the portal structure V in perfect vertical and horizontal alignment during unfolding of the elements associated with the hollow structure W.

Second step. After terminating the first step, the temporary components SL are released from the third central portion of slab O. The second step concerns the opening of the second lateral portion B of the walk floor of the second story, which is hinged to the second central portion of floor N by means of “hinge” along the horizontal axis y-y, which allows rotation thereof to the final horizontal position. Located at the two lower ends of the second lateral portion of floor B are the temporary brackets J (FIGS. 47 and 54), attached to which is the eyebolt J1 to which the steel cable of the mobile crane is fixed to allow the maneuver. Once the second lateral portion of floor B has been taken to horizontal position, it is fixed at the two end corners with the steel angle column CG by means of nuts and bolts SG1, which allows the second lateral portion of floor B to be maintained in position and the mobile crane to be released for the subsequent step. Simultaneously to the fixing of the second lateral portion of floor B, a workman also installs the temporary quick coupling bar DZ (FIGS. 47 and 54) fixed to the angle column CG and to the upright MG1, to maintain this angle column in vertical position.

Third step. This step consists of fixing the lifting eyebolts J1 to the upper lateral ends of the first lateral portion C of the walk floor of the ground story. The first lateral portion of the floor C is directly connected to the central portion M of the walk floor of the ground story by means of hinges, about the axes x-x, which allow downward rotation. Once the first lateral portion of the floor C has been taken to the final horizontal position, the temporary quick coupling bar DZ is removed, as the first lateral portion of the floor C can be fixed finally to the angle columns CG by means of nuts and bolts SG2. At the end of this third step, the floor of the ground story and second story will be in the final position and finally fixed to the steel angle columns CG.

Fourth step. This step consists in taking the transverse end D and longitudinal F walls to their final position in order to consolidate and ultimate the structure of the ground story. Initially the temporary trolleys CR are attached to the lower and upper lateral ends of the two ends of the longitudinal walls F, which allows the walls F to slide until they abut against the steel angle columns CG, preventing these walls F from overturning. After the temporary trolleys CR have been assembled, the longitudinal walls F are pushed by hand until reaching their fixing position, which takes place by means of nuts and bolts. The transverse walls D are anchored directly by means of hinges with vertical axis CNM to the respective uprights MG1, which will rotate until they abut against the columns CG and against the panel I that fills the transverse wall of the hollow structure W formed by the uprights MG1, and will be fixed by means of nuts and bolts. At the end of this fourth step the ground story will be finally completed with the longitudinal F and transverse D walls.

Fifth step. Initially the temporary trolleys CR are installed as for the preceding fourth step, to stabilize the longitudinal G and transverse E end walls during movement of the third lateral portions A of the roof floor of the second story. Subsequently, the lifting eyebolts J1 are anchored to the lower ends of the third lateral portions of floor A. Before lifting, the brackets JT and JC (which held the transverse E and longitudinal G walls joined to the third lateral portion of floor A) are removed to allow opening of the portion of floor A. The steel cables of the mobile crane are anchored to the lifting eyebolts J1, and the third lateral portions of floor A are lifted into the final horizontal position, after which they are fixed to the angle columns CG by means of nuts and bolts SG3.

Sixth step. In this step, the infill panels L of the transverse walls comprising the uprights MG2 of the second story are assembled. This is followed by simultaneous translation of the longitudinal and transverse lateral walls G and E (facing one another) of the second story, which will be pushed toward their final position abutting against the angle column “CG”. Said walls G and E are joined to one another along the external side by hinges with axis CNG, which will allow rotation of the second transverse walls E until they abut against the panel L for final fixing thereof.

Seventh step. This step concerns the assembling of the finishing covering elements of the horizontal metal structures, the gutter channel GR on the longitudinal sides, and the closing caps of the holes S2 and S4 on the uprights MG1.

Hereunder (FIGS. 55 to 65) there is described a further mode of installation of the same grouping of the last example described. The references therefore remain the same as before. The new temporary elements introduced will be indicated with new references.

First step. After placing the grouping Z on the ground and in position, lifting is carried out using a mobile crane, which will hook its cables to the component SL, which in turn will be anchored to the third central portion O of roof floor of the second story by means of nuts and bolts. After starting lifting, the portal structure V is maintained in the guide by the sliding coupling of the uprights MG2 MG1 in relation to the transverse end walls of the hollow structure and of the portal structure. After reaching a height, for example, of around 15-20 centimeters, the portal structure V is locked by means of shear pins S3 in the holes S4 in the uprights MG1 and MG2 and the lifting eyebolts J1 are then attached to the third lateral portions of floor A to allow rotation thereof.

Second step. After terminating the first step, the steel cables are released from the elements SL. The second step consists of opening of the third lateral portions of floor A, which are connected to the second central portion N of the walk floor of the second story by means of a hinge with horizontal axis which allows rotation thereof to the final horizontal position. After anchoring the steel cable to the brackets J1, the third lateral portion of floor A is rotated into horizontal position and anchored to the two temporary pillars PL by means of brackets SP2 and anchored to the element SL by means of the pins SPC, also temporary, to maintain the third lateral portion of floor A in position.

Third step. This step provides for anchoring the lifting eyebolts J1 to the brackets J, to which the steel cables will be anchored, to allow rotation by the mobile crane of the lateral portion of floor B—longitudinal wall G—transverse end wall E (held together by the bracket JT) assembly into the horizontal position and temporary fixing thereof to the pillar PL by means of brackets SP1. After this maneuver has been carried out the brackets JT are removed.

Fourth step. This step provides for taking the first lateral portions C of walk floor of the ground story to the final position in order to form this floor. The lifting eyebolts J1 are attached laterally to the first lateral portion of floor C, and the steel cable is then hooked to these and they are rotated downward until reaching their position.

Fifth step. Once the first lateral portions of floor C have been positioned, they are, for example, completed by means of the covering panels CS along the longitudinal hinge axes x-x and y-y (subsequently also affixed on the axes t-t; these covering panels CS are also present in the other examples described), after which the trolleys CR2 and CR are installed for stabilization of the longitudinal walls F during the movement to reach their final position. Once the longitudinal wall F has been taken into position, the transverse end walls D will be rotated by means of vertical hinges CNM anchored on the vertical side elements of the uprights MG1. After carrying out these movements, the upper brackets SP2 and the trolleys CR and CR2 installed previously are removed, and by means of brackets SG the walls G-E are anchored to the third portion of floor A to proceed with the step to lift the portal structure V.

Sixth step. The temporary brackets BCR are fixed to the second lateral portion B of the walk floor of the second story, then the whole floor, formed by the portions A and O, is lifted; by means of the brackets SG and of the trolleys CRG positioned respectively at the top and at the base of the assembly formed by the walls G-E, during lifting of the floor A-O-A, the assemblies of the walls G-E are subjected to rotation and translation (left part of FIG. 61) until reaching a vertical position thereof (right part of FIG. 61). After reaching the required height, the portal V is anchored finally with final nuts and bolts 51 to the base of the uprights MG2 on the uprights MG1.

Seventh step. In this step, the panels L fixed on the uprights MG2 are assembled. After removing the temporary trolleys, the walls E are rotated by means of vertical hinges CNG positioned on the vertical side element of the walls G, after which the temporary brackets BCR and the pillars PL are removed.

Eighth step. This step provides for assembling the final angle columns CG and the finishing covering elements SF of the horizontal metal structures, the gutter channel GR on the longitudinal sides, and the closing caps TP of the holes S2 and S4 on the uprights MG1. If necessary, pillars Ds and Es can be arranged in association with the walls D and E or with other walls.

It is understood that in all the examples described above, all the fixing, supporting, locking, translation, rotation and translation, rotation, sliding systems of the various parts of the assembly (such as bolts, brackets, poles, hooks, eyebolts, cables, winches, trolleys, hinges, guides, etc.), used both with the grouping still compact and during the installation step, can be replaced by other anchoring, locking, translation, rotation and translation, rotation, sliding systems etc. capable of performing the same function.

FIGS. 66 and 67 show a fourth embodiment. The letters identifying the components of the grouping assembly are the same as the examples described above, varying only the arrangement of these components in the grouping Z and the mode of carrying out assembly.

In grouping configuration Z, the assembly consists of the following longitudinal arrangement of components (starting from the longitudinal vertical centerline plane of the grouping, outward; as the grouping is symmetrical, only the components referring to one side of the grouping will be indicated, indicating only the reference letter and not the number, which indicates the corresponding side):

-   -   a pair of first transverse lateral end walls D-D relating to the         first lateral portions of floor C,     -   the first longitudinal wall F of the ground story,     -   a pair of second transverse lateral end walls E-E relating to         the second lateral portions of floor B,     -   the first lateral portion C of the walk floor of the ground         story,     -   the second lateral portion B of the walk floor of the ground         story     -   the second longitudinal wall G of the second story,     -   the third lateral portion of roof floor A of the second story.

At the center of the grouping, between the two pairs of first transverse lateral end walls D-D, there are arranged transversely the pairs of transverse end walls L (preferably leaning against one end) and I (these latter already in position).

FIGS. 68 and 69 show a fifth embodiment. The letters identifying the components of the grouping assembly are the same as the examples described above, varying only the arrangement of these components in the grouping Z and the mode of carrying out assembly.

In grouping configuration Z, the assembly consists of the following longitudinal arrangement of components (starting from the longitudinal vertical centerline plane of the grouping, outward; as the grouping is symmetrical, only the components referring to one side of the grouping will be indicated, indicating only the reference letter and not the number, which indicates the corresponding side):

-   -   a pair of first transverse lateral end walls D-D relating to the         first lateral portions of floor C,     -   the first longitudinal wall F of the ground story,     -   a pair of second transverse lateral end walls E-E relating to         the second lateral portions of floor B,     -   the second longitudinal wall G of the second story,     -   the first lateral portion C of the walk floor of the ground         story,     -   the second lateral portion B of the walk floor of the ground         story     -   the third lateral portion of roof floor A of the second story.

At the center of the grouping between the two pairs of first transverse lateral end walls D-D, there are arranged transversely the pairs of transverse end walls L (preferably leaning against one end) and I (these latter already in position).

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. 

1. An assembly of prefabricated elements to form a prefabricated building with at least two stories and associated with one another in a compact grouping designed for transportation to an installation site of the building, the assembly comprising: a hollow prefabricated structure formed by a central portion of a walk floor of a ground story and a central portion of a floor above permanently connected to one another by means of portions of transverse walls of the ground story, the hollow prefabricated structure being adapted to extemporaneously contain walls and floors of the building or portions thereof to form said compact grouping of prefabricated constructional elements; for each story above the ground story, a prefabricated portal structure formed by a central portion of the floor that roofs said story connected permanently to two portions of transverse walls of the same story, said portal structures being designed to be inserted with respective central portions of the floor) resting on top of one another and above said hollow prefabricated structure to form said compact grouping and then, during installation, to be fixed to one another and to the hollow structure by means of respective portions of transverse walls; guide means for guiding, during assembly on site, the portal structures in a lifting movement on top of the hollow prefabricated structure, lateral portions of the walk floor and roofing floor being hinged to said central portions of respective floors according to longitudinal axes, to facilitate installation thereof, said walk floor of the ground story being formed by a first lower central portion and two first lower lateral portions, said first lower central portion being substantially rectangular, forming the walk floor of the hollow prefabricated structure, said two first lower lateral portions being opposed and hinged along external sides of said lower central portion according to longitudinal axes in a manner to be able to rotate from a vertical position in said grouping to a horizontal installation position, said walk floor of the second story being formed by a second central portion and two second lateral walk floor portions, said second central portion being above said first central portion, said second central portion being substantially rectangular, forming the upper floor or ceiling of the hollow prefabricated structure, said two second lateral walk floor portions being opposed and hinged along external sides of said second central portion according to longitudinal axes in a manner to be able to rotate from a vertical position in said grouping to a horizontal installation position, said roofing floor of the second story being formed by a third central roofing portion and two third lateral portions, said third central roofing portion being substantially rectangular, forming the floor of said portal structure, said two third lateral portions being opposed and hinged along external sides of said third central portion according to longitudinal axes in a manner to be able to rotate from a vertical position in said grouping to a horizontal installation position. 2-9. (canceled)
 10. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement of said lateral portions of floor in said grouping comprises, from an inside outward, said first portions, said second portions and said third lateral portions, the inside of said hollow structure being delimited in said grouping by said first lateral portions of walk floor arranged in the vertical position.
 11. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein in said grouping, the third central portion of the roofing floor is substantially resting on and/or supported by the second central portion of floor of the hollow prefabricated structure below. 12-18. (canceled)
 19. An assembly according to claim 1, further comprising one or more columns to be fixed vertically in a permanent manner to an outer periphery of at least said portions of floor of the second story in corner areas. 20-22. (canceled)
 23. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein prefabricated elements comprise respective lengths of piping of systems of the building for distribution and/or collection of fluids, and to convey electricity lines, and during assembly on site corresponding adjacent lengths of piping of walls and floors or portions thereof are joined to one another by means of appropriate connections.
 24. A grouping for transportation to the installation site of the assembly of prefabricated structural elements according to claim
 1. 25. An assembly process of walls and floors of a building with two stories starting from a grouping of components of an assembly according to claim 1, the assembly process on site comprising: placing in a suitable position the grouping of floors and walls with a base formed by the first central portion of the walk floor of the ground story resting on a suitable support; lifting said portal structure on top of said hollow structure and fixing the portal structure to the hollow structure; rotating the lateral portions of the floor slab of the first floor from a vertical position to a horizontal position and supporting said lateral portions in said horizontal position; rotating the lateral portions of the walk floor of the ground story from a vertical position to a horizontal position.
 26. (canceled)
 27. A process according to claim 25, wherein rotation of the lateral portions of the roof floor of the second story takes place after lifting of the portal structure.
 28. (canceled)
 29. A process according to claim 25, wherein rotation of the lateral portions of a roof floor of the second story from a vertical position to a horizontal position takes place after rotation of the lateral portions of the walk floor of the second story from a vertical position to a horizontal position. 30-36. (canceled)
 37. A process according to claim 25, wherein the lateral portions of the floors of the second story and of a roof thereof are supported at a free periphery, at least in corner areas, by permanent support columns. 38-45. (canceled)
 46. A prefabricated building with at least two stories, wherein the prefabricated building is formed by means of an assembly of prefabricated elements as claimed in claim
 1. 47. A prefabricated building with at least two stories, wherein the prefabricated building is installed on site according to a process as claimed in claim
 25. 48. An assembly according to claim 19, wherein a structural casing of the assembly, is formed by a reticular structure, a frame of a primary structure being formed by sections or beams which form nine flat frames with rectangular shape which, after reaching a final position, form the walk floors of the ground story, of the second story and roof floors, said flat frames being formed by secondary frameworks.
 49. An assembly according claim 1, wherein said grouping has an arrangement of portions of walls and portions of the floors substantially symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal vertical plane passing along a longitudinal centerline of said hollow prefabricated structure. 